The 20 Coldest Places on Earth

From Alaska to Russia, these often desolate, inhospitable locations around the world have recorded the lowest temperatures.

August 18, 2021

By: Mariette Williams

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Jaw-Dropping Temperatures Define the World's Coldest Places

While many vacationers yearn for warm-weather getaways, some travelers like to head to colder climates for fresh air and refreshing outdoor activities. The following destinations are some of the coldest places on earth, and while there may be some dispute around a few of the reported record-breaking numbers, each of these regions experiences some jaw-dropping subzero temperatures.

Learn More: The 20 Hottest Places on Earth

Bundle Up if You Plan to Travel to These Coldest Places

Many of the following destinations are not accessible or open to the public, but there are a few places on this list that welcome travelers willing to don a few extra layers. According to experts, the key to traveling to a cold climate is to wear lots of breathable layers of clothing.

Natalia Sadowski, a licensed medical aesthetician, skincare therapist and Director of Aesthetics and Education for NB Naturals, told HGTV, “In general, it’s best to avoid synthetic materials that may irritate your skin because colder weather can further sensitize the skin. For medical face coverings or balaclavas, use breathable cotton materials to avoid breakouts and irritation.

Travelers to cold areas may also need to adjust their skincare routine. Sadowski also said, “In cold weather, it’s tempting to use hot water when cleansing your face and body. However, hot water can actually dry out and damage your skin barrier. This can lead to dry, irritated and tight feeling skin. Instead, use warm water when in the shower.”

Lastly, before hitting the road, travelers should also check the US Department of State for the most current travel advisories.

Eureka, Nunavut, Canada

Eureka, Canada is located on Ellesmere Island in Canada's northern Nunavut territory, and the lowest temperature recorded was -67.54 degrees Fahrenheit or -55.3 degrees Celsius in February 1979. Eureka was founded in 1947 as part of a network of research centers, and technically the area is uninhabited outside of the staff in the research center, which ranges from 8-15 rotational members. While there are few people in Eureka, polar bears, arctic foxes and caribou frequent Ellesmere island and the surrounding areas.

Verkhoyansk, Russia

One of the coldest places in the world is Verkhoyansk, Russia, and in February 1982 temperatures reportedly dropped to a bone-chilling -90.04 F or -67.8 C. Surprisingly, summers in Verkhoyansk can get pretty warm, and temperatures can reach over 86 F or 30 C in June through August. The small town in northeast Russia is also home to the Pole of Cold Museum, which houses artifacts of extinct mammals and other rare and extinct plants and animals from the region.

Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, Canada

Canada’s Fort Good Hope is another extreme cold-weather location, located along the McKenzie River in the Northwest Territories. Fort Good Hope once held the record for the coldest temperature in Canada, but it was disputed. Today, visitors can expect the coldest weather in January, when average low temperatures linger around -18.76F or -28.2C. The population hovers just below 600 people, and the main sources of income here are hunting, fishing and trapping.

Greenland Ice Sheet, Greenland

In December 1991, scientists recorded chilling temperatures of -93.3 F or -69.6 C at the Greenland Ice Sheet in Greenland. Roughly 660,000 square miles, the Greenland Ice Sheet covers about 80 percent of Greenland’s landmass, and ice sheet formations happen when snow accumulates and the climate doesn’t get warm enough to melt the snow and ice. The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice sheet in the world behind the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Vostok Station, Antarctica

Founded in 1957, Vostok Station is a Russian research station in Antarctica with some of the coldest temperatures on Earth, and in July 1983, temperatures dropped to -128.6 F or -89.2 C. Vostok Station experiences sub-zero temperatures year-round and only gets about an inch of precipitation that falls as snow. Vostok Station is one of the most remote research stations in the world, and its location near the Arctic Circle means that it gets almost 23 hours of sunlight in December.

Snag, Yukon, Canada

The town of Snag was first settled during the Yukon Gold Rush, and the coldest day ever in this Canadian town was recorded in 1947. Temperatures dipped down to 81.04 F or -62.8 C, which is reportedly the coldest day in Canadian history. Today, only a handful of residents live in Snag, and the nearest town is Beaver Creek, located about a half-hour’s drive from the Alaska border.

Roger Pass, Montana, United States

Montana is a popular ski destination in the wintertime, so it’s not hard to see why it made the list of coldest places in the world. In 1954, Roger’s Pass dropped down to -69.7 F or -56.5 C, making it one of the coldest temperatures ever recorded in the United States. Roger’s Pass has an elevation of 5,610 feet above sea level, and it provides the best route between two Montana cities, Missoula and Great Falls.

Yakutsk, Russia

Yakutsk, Russia is located less than 300 miles from the Arctic Circle, and it’s considered one of the coldest large cities in the world. Although it’s pretty cold here year-round, the coldest temperature recorded in Yakutsk was -83.92 F or -64.4 C in February 1891. Yakutsk is home to nearly 300,00 residents, and the city also boasts the title of being one of the biggest suppliers of diamonds in the world.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, sees some seriously cold temperatures. For example, in January 2001, temperatures fell to a frigid -49 F or -45 C. Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s most populous city, and it’s also been called “The Coldest Capital City in the World.” Mongolia is landlocked between China and Russia and winters in the capital of Ulaanbaatar are long and dry. Most travelers to this city arrive during the spring and summer months, from May through September before it gets too cold.

Denali National Park, Alaska

Alaska’s Denali National Park takes up 6 million acres of land, and it’s also the home of the tallest peak in North America. Temperatures here took a historic dip in February 1999, when they fell to -54 F or -47.7 C. The national park has a mix of forests, tundra and glaciers, and there are 39 species of mammals and 169 species of birds that live there. Visitors to Denali National Park can participate in winter activities like dog sledding, skiing and snowmobiling.

International Falls, Minnesota

Nicknamed the “Icebox of the Nation,” International Falls in northwestern Minnesota has an average of nearly 100 days with below-freezing temperatures, and the temperature recently dropped down to a blistering -45 F or -42.7 C in January 2019. The town is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, and fishing, camping and wildlife watching are all popular activities. In January, International Falls holds an Icebox Days Festival which includes events like turkey bowling and moonlight skiing.

Prospect Creek, Alaska

Prospect Creek, Alaska is located about 180 miles north of Fairbanks, and the former mining town is the location of one of the coldest temperatures in the United States. In January 1971, the recorded temperature was a frosty -80 F or -62 C. The small town is located just above the Arctic Circle, and even with the freezing cold weather, Prospect Creek is home to lots of different wildlife like black and brown bears.

Amundsen-Scott Station, South Pole

The Amundsen-Scott Station is located on the South Pole and gets about six months of sunlight and six months of darkness every year. The American research station was built in 1956, and it’s no surprise that it gets extremely cold here. In fact, temperatures here dipped as low as -117.04 F or -82.8 C. The station has been continuously occupied since it was built and has undergone several expansions. Today, the station can accommodate over 150 researchers.

Nur-Sultan (Astana) Kazakhstan

Visitors to Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) are advised to visit during the mild summer months of May to September before the cold, harsh winter sets in. The lowest recorded temperature here was -60.9 F/-51.6 C, and Nur-Sultan is considered one of the coldest capital cities in the world, only behind Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The terrain of the capital city of Kazakhstan is flat and grassy, while the skyline is dotted with impressive modern skyscrapers.

Fort Selkirk, Yukon, Canada

Fort Selkirk experiences extremely dry, cold winters, earning it a spot on this list. Located on the Yukon River, the town reported its coldest day in February 1947 with temperatures of -85 F or -65 C, though some dispute the claim because the thermometer was on the outside wall of a building and not kept in a standard instrument shelter. Regardless, Fort Selkirk regularly experiences below-freezing weather, and today the tiny town is only accessible by boat or plane.

Oymyakon, Russia

The lowest recorded temperature in Oymyakon, Russia was in February 1933 when the town plunged to freezing temperatures of -89.86 F or -67.7 C. The rural town only has about 500 residents, and it’s located between two valleys, which trap the wind and keep temperatures low. Another interesting feature? The ground in Oymyakon experiences permafrost, meaning that the ground is permanently frozen year-round.

Plateau Station, Antarctica

Considered the coldest and most remote American research station, Plateau Station in Antarctica was last active during the 1960s, and during that time, the station recorded icy temperatures of -99.76 F or -73.2 C. While Plateau Station is no longer active, at the time it was staffed by the National Science Foundation and the United States Navy, and it was used to study the polar atmosphere and observe meteorologic patterns.

Stanley, Idaho, United States

Stanley, Idaho is a small town with fewer than 100 permanent residents, and the area is a great base for outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking and boating. The weather gets cold in Stanley in part due to the geography — it’s located in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges that work to trap in the cold air. While it’s generally cold year-round, the coldest day in Stanley, Idaho was -54 F or - 47.7 C in December 1983.

Dome Fuji, Antarctica

Dome Fuji is also known as Dome Valkyrie and the ice-cold zone experienced record-setting cold temperatures of -135.8 F or -93.2 C in August 2010. The temperature was measured by a satellite, and the area is considered an ice desert because of its dry climate and the fact that it receives very little precipitation. Dome Fuji is located on an ice dome that rises 12,500 feet above sea level, and the area is also home to Dome Fuji Station, a research station operated by Japan.

Eismitte, Greenland

While Greenland’s name may imply a lush, green landscape, most of Greenland is covered by ice. The icy terrain includes Eismitte, which is located in the interior of Greenland and was the site of an Arctic expedition from 1930-1931. The coldest temperature ever recorded at Eismite was -53 F or -47.2 C, and the area has a year-round polar ice cap climate, which means that the monthly temperatures are always below freezing.